Matt Araiza

[Buffalo_Stampede]

11 minutes ago, JoPoy88 said:

I’m not suggesting “going after them.” I’m not saying people should be shamed or abused, demand they make public apologies, or anything else that’s been advocated for in this thread and elsewhere. All I said was that sort of thinking should be questioned and not waved away as just human nature when the consequences faced by people who are wrongly accused of serious crimes are real and lasting.

The alternative is telling the accuser to prove it. It’s also a harsh reaction towards the accuser.

 

The public just shouldn’t be involved at all until charges are filed.

[K-9]

18 hours ago, boyst said:

You should not blame the bills, they only did what the so-called "public" wanted. 

 

The way I was told to think of the public in a marketing class will stick with me. "Think of the dumbest person you know. Half of the people in this world are equal or less than that person in intelligence and choices"

 

Sadly, they are the loudest voices and cause the most trouble. I wish stupid would hurt. 

Your marketing teacher must have been a George Carlin fan because that’s right out of one of his routines. 

[boyst]

1 hour ago, K-9 said:

Your marketing teacher must have been a George Carlin fan because that’s right out of one of his routines. 

Haha. Must have been. I never put the two of those together but yeah I never realized that they were both the same schtick. 

 

He was a good professor 

[BillsFan619]

“Holds nothing against the Buffalo Bills,” adding that he “wishes things were handled a little differently but [the Bills] did treat him with respect.”

 

Very tough situation. Class organization. Go Bills!

 

 

Edited May 19, 2023 by BillsFan619

[Draconator]

5 minutes ago, BillsFan619 said:

“Holds nothing against the Buffalo Bills,” adding that he “wishes things were handled a little differently but [the Bills] did treat him with respect.”

 

Very tough situation. Class organization. Go Bills!

 

 

 

 

[buffblue]

This ought to end well

[Saint Doug]

This is just an all-around horrible situation. He should countersue his accuser for lost wages, but I doubt this girl has enough. Funny (not) how her lawyer has immunity in all this. I don’t know anything about law though. 

[Gugny]

2 hours ago, boyst said:

Haha. Must have been. I never put the two of those together but yeah I never realized that they were both the same schtick. 

 

He was a good professor 

So plagiarists make good professors now???  You are NOT a process guy!

 

[BuffaloBillyG]

On 5/8/2023 at 7:52 PM, SCBills said:

Yea, I don’t fault Beane at all.  The public pressure (and likely internal NFL pressure) was too much.  
 

You could tell Beane felt torn up inside to have to let Arazia go. 

If only the NFL had a list they can place players on that are pending legal investigation to remove them from the active roster and keep them secure in their job. Maybe the Commissioner can head that up.

 

In all seriousness, with the rising amount of NFL players that are either legitimately in trouble with the law or are accused pending criminal investigation, it may be time that the NFL considers placing guys under investigation on an exempt list and letting the legal stuff work out before expecting a team to cut them or, like Watson with Houston...send him home all year with pay.

[HomeskillitMoorman]

Kinda gross that he did an interview with someone like Tomi Lahren but for the most part he took the high road. 
 

I though Beanes comments when they cut him though were supportive. He hinted that he believed Matt and that he needed to put his full focus into dealing with the accusations. 
 

The ugly parts are the false accusations and what men go through when it comes to them. On the flip side, it can also unfairly  make a woman who’s actually been abused or raped look like she’s crying wolf because of frauds like this one. 
 

It sucks all around. 

Edited May 19, 2023 by HomeskillitMoorman

[GunnerBill]

51 minutes ago, BuffaloBillyG said:

If only the NFL had a list they can place players on that are pending legal investigation to remove them from the active roster and keep them secure in their job. Maybe the Commissioner can head that up.

 

In all seriousness, with the rising amount of NFL players that are either legitimately in trouble with the law or are accused pending criminal investigation, it may be time that the NFL considers placing guys under investigation on an exempt list and letting the legal stuff work out before expecting a team to cut them or, like Watson with Houston...send him home all year with pay.

 

Araiza wasn't eligible for the list apparently. Loophole for rookies with zero accrued seasons.

[Beck Water]

1 hour ago, BuffaloBillyG said:

If only the NFL had a list they can place players on that are pending legal investigation to remove them from the active roster and keep them secure in their job. Maybe the Commissioner can head that up.

 

In all seriousness, with the rising amount of NFL players that are either legitimately in trouble with the law or are accused pending criminal investigation, it may be time that the NFL considers placing guys under investigation on an exempt list and letting the legal stuff work out before expecting a team to cut them or, like Watson with Houston...send him home all year with pay.

 

By contractual agreement with the NFLPA, the NFL can NOT discipline a player for actions that took place before he was drafted or signed.

That includes putting him on the Commissioner's Exempt List.

 

Said list and its use are durn falutin' vague, but the league seems to be trending towards using it only for players who have been arrested or who face criminal charges, vs. players who are facing a civil suit or players who are being investigated (but have not been arrested or charged) for a possible crime.

 

20 minutes ago, GunnerBill said:

 

Araiza wasn't eligible for the list apparently. Loophole for rookies with zero accrued seasons.

 

The "loophole" isn't for based on accrued seasons or rookie status. 

 

The distinction is between actions that take place after the player is drafted/signed vs. before the player is drafted/signed.

[mannc]

42 minutes ago, HomeskillitMoorman said:

Kinda gross that he did an interview with someone like Tomi Lahren but for the most part he took the high road. 
 

I though Beanes comments when they cut him though were supportive. He hinted that he believed Matt and that he needed to put his full focus into dealing with the accusations. 
 

The ugly parts are the false accusations and what men go through when it comes to them. On the flip side, it can also unfairly  make a woman who’s actually been abused or raped look like she’s crying wolf because of frauds like this one. 
 

It sucks all around. 

What does that have to do with anything?

[sullim4]

... but can he hold for Bass?

[Mr. WEO]

1 hour ago, JerseyBills said:

Bills had no choice, it's a shame this is the political climate we are currently in. He would've likely been like Bass as our kicker, our punter for the next decade +

 

If this was Josh Allen, the Bills would have let it play out.

 

But Araiza was a draft afterthought who never played a down in an essentially insignificant position who was quickly, easily and satisfactorily replaced.  

 

 

He had no value to the team.  That's not politics.  No other team wants him either--they didn't draft him nor have they invited him after he was cleared.  Who cares?  

[SinceThe70s]

6 minutes ago, Mr. WEO said:

 

If this was Josh Allen, the Bills would have let it play out.

 

But Araiza was a draft afterthought who never played a down in an essentially insignificant position who was quickly, easily and satisfactorily replaced.  

 

 

He had no value to the team.  That's not politics.  No other team wants him either--they didn't draft him nor have they invited him after he was cleared.  Who cares?  

 

Araiza was drafted - how does that make him a draft afterthought? 

 

 

[Mr. WEO]

3 minutes ago, SinceThe70s said:

 

Araiza was drafted - how does that make him a draft afterthought? 

 

 

 

If he wasn't drafted, he couldn't be a draft afterthought---7th round,  230 guys were drafted before him.  He wasn't the 1st or even the 2nd Punter drafted--2 better guys were drafted in the 4th.    

[SinceThe70s]

6 minutes ago, Mr. WEO said:

 

If he wasn't drafted, he couldn't be a draft afterthought---7th round,  230 guys were drafted before him.  He wasn't the 1st or even the 2nd Punter drafted--2 better guys were drafted in the 4th.    

 

You're losing me - a quick google of the definition of afterthought definition: an item or thing that is thought of or added later.  Calling a guy that got drafted a draft afterthought makes no sense to me. BTW, 6th round, 180th overall, no?

 

[Mr. WEO]

3 minutes ago, SinceThe70s said:

 

You're losing me - a quick google of the definition of afterthought definition: an item or thing that is thought of or added later.  Calling a guy that got drafted a draft afterthought makes no sense to me. BTW, 6th round, 180th overall, no?

 

 

You're right, 6th round.  

[SinceThe70s]

1 minute ago, Mr. WEO said:

 

You're right, 6th round.  

 

Yippee for me. IMO, that minor point doesn't diminish your overall thoughts on the matter - but I'm still at a loss over the draft afterthought comment.  Putting that aside - can you comment further on your assertion that "No other team wants him either".  How do you know this? More to the point, are you claiming that no team will ever sign him?

[Mr. WEO]

Just now, SinceThe70s said:

 

Yippee for me. IMO, that minor point doesn't diminish your overall thoughts on the matter - but I'm still at a loss over the draft afterthought comment.  Putting that aside - can you comment further on your assertion that "No other team wants him either".  How do you know this? More to the point, are you claiming that no team will ever sign him?

War rooms don’t spend much energy scratching their heads over day 3 picks.  It’s not hard to conceive.  The took a flyer on an internet sensation who was passed over by two other teams who spent much higher (4ths) on better Punters.

 

Araiza was a lark pick.  No other team through 5 rounds said, “what the heck, let’s take The Punt God”. 
 

And no team has brought him in (he’s available).  Will other teams “never sign him”? How do I know.  Maybe tomorrow they will, or Monday..

 

Tell me why they haven’t to this point?
 

 

[SinceThe70s]

1 minute ago, Mr. WEO said:

War rooms don’t spend much energy scratching their heads over day 3 picks.  It’s not hard to conceive.  The took a flyer on an internet sensation who was passed over by two other teams who spent much higher (4ths) on better Punters.

 

Araiza was a lark pick.  No other team through 5 rounds said, “what the heck, let’s take The Punt God”. 
 

And no team has brought him in (he’s available).  Will other teams “never sign him”? How do I know.  Maybe tomorrow they will, or Monday..

 

Tell me why they haven’t to this point?
 

 

 

First of all, why should I tell you why no teams haven't signed Araiza to this point? I've yet to make any claims that any team should or will, I've only questioned your assertions. 

 

I could make any number of guesses as to why nobody has signed him yet, but it would all be baseless speculation.  On the other hand I will be surprised if some team doesn't bring him in before next season based solely on his football resume.

[Mr. WEO]

8 minutes ago, SinceThe70s said:

 

First of all, why should I tell you why no teams haven't signed Araiza to this point? I've yet to make any claims that any team should or will, I've only questioned your assertions. 

 

I could make any number of guesses as to why nobody has signed him yet, but it would all be baseless speculation.  On the other hand I will be surprised if some team doesn't bring him in before next season based solely on his football resume.

 

It was a simple question that would naturally follow your question of my assertions....

 

But I did understand your guesses would be speculation when I asked.  So you may respond.

 

As for his football resume?  It begins and ends with one year as a starting Punter in his 4th year of college.  Every team was aware of it before the draft.  2 (of 4 total) teams looking for a Punter weren't impressed with that resume.  

[SinceThe70s]

1 minute ago, Mr. WEO said:

 

It was a simple question that would naturally follow your question of my assertions....

 

But I did understand your guesses would be speculation when I asked.  So you may respond.

 

As for his football resume?  It begins and ends with one year as a starting Punter in his 4th year of college.  Every team was aware of it before the draft.  2 (of 4 total) teams looking for a Punter weren't impressed with that resume.  

 

JMO, but choosing to draft a punter and bringing in a punter to replace or compete with the guy on the roster are two different things.  Not sure how many teams field undrafted punters but at a minimum we can start with the Giants. 

 

Do you think that Araiza will never be given a shot at an NFL roster spot?  I think he will.

[SinceThe70s]

@Mr. WEO - did you delete your post that started our back and forth? I can't find it. Found my initial response and didn't see anything a mod might stomp out. Anyway, was looking back to make sure I didn't misconstrue your point of view.

[Rigotz]

1 hour ago, Mr. WEO said:

War rooms don’t spend much energy scratching their heads over day 3 picks.  It’s not hard to conceive.  The took a flyer on an internet sensation who was passed over by two other teams who spent much higher (4ths) on better Punters.

 

Araiza was a lark pick.  No other team through 5 rounds said, “what the heck, let’s take The Punt God”. 
 

And no team has brought him in (he’s available).  Will other teams “never sign him”? How do I know.  Maybe tomorrow they will, or Monday..

 

Tell me why they haven’t to this point?
 

 

This is kind of an odd thing to say.

 

You really don’t believe front offices are doing deep diligence on late round picks?

It’s well known at this point that “several” teams took Araiza off their board because of legal trouble rumors. He was a great prospect and someone will sign him, as long as he’s mentally ready for that and has his legal troubles settled first.

[Doc Brown]

1 hour ago, SinceThe70s said:

 

JMO, but choosing to draft a punter and bringing in a punter to replace or compete with the guy on the roster are two different things.  Not sure how many teams field undrafted punters but at a minimum we can start with the Giants. 

 

Do you think that Araiza will never be given a shot at an NFL roster spot?  I think he will.

Not if he decides to make himself a cancel culture martyr (which may be more financially lucrative in its own right).  If he does want to get a tryout with a team the less press he does right now the better so I question the advice he's getting.  NFL teams hate outside distractions and a punter is not worth it no matter how much potential he has.

[SinceThe70s]

1 minute ago, Doc Brown said:

Not if he decides to make himself a cancel culture martyr (which may be more financially lucrative in its own right).  If he does want to get a tryout with a team the less press he does right now the better so I question the advice he's getting.  NFL teams hate outside distractions and a punter is not worth it no matter how much potential he has.

 

Damn, never considered that angle, thanks. Gotta give that some thought beyond my knee-jerk reaction.

[Doc Brown]

37 minutes ago, SinceThe70s said:

 

Damn, never considered that angle, thanks. Gotta give that some thought beyond my knee-jerk reaction.

If I was him I'd want to go and scream to anyone who'd want to listen if I was falsely charged but it wouldn't get me any closer to an NFL roster.  Especially in the social media age we live in and will continue to live in.  Sad but true imo.

[Dr. Who]

10 hours ago, HomeskillitMoorman said:

Kinda gross that he did an interview with someone like Tomi Lahren but for the most part he took the high road. 
 

I though Beanes comments when they cut him though were supportive. He hinted that he believed Matt and that he needed to put his full focus into dealing with the accusations. 
 

The ugly parts are the false accusations and what men go through when it comes to them. On the flip side, it can also unfairly  make a woman who’s actually been abused or raped look like she’s crying wolf because of frauds like this one. 
 

It sucks all around. 

Since from now on his name will carry a stigma despite exculpatory evidence due to the nature of the original charges and widespread reporting of his dismissal from the Bills, he gave a number of interviews to female interlocutors in an attempt to rehabilitate his character.  Given the state of contemporary journalism where the msm presumes a criteria of #believeallwomen, it's not surprising that he chose an alternative outlet, even if ironically by doing so he incurs the wrath of those who prefer the very media largely responsible for his public reputation.

[Mr. WEO]

8 hours ago, SinceThe70s said:

 

JMO, but choosing to draft a punter and bringing in a punter to replace or compete with the guy on the roster are two different things.  Not sure how many teams field undrafted punters but at a minimum we can start with the Giants. 

 

Do you think that Araiza will never be given a shot at an NFL roster spot?  I think he will.

 

"Will other teams “never sign him”? How do I know.  Maybe tomorrow they will, or Monday."

 

 

 

7 hours ago, SinceThe70s said:

@Mr. WEO - did you delete your post that started our back and forth? I can't find it. Found my initial response and didn't see anything a mod might stomp out. Anyway, was looking back to make sure I didn't misconstrue your point of view.

 

I don't delete posts.  Mods sometimes do.

 

7 hours ago, Rigotz said:

This is kind of an odd thing to say.

 

You really don’t believe front offices are doing deep diligence on late round picks?

It’s well known at this point that “several” teams took Araiza off their board because of legal trouble rumors. He was a great prospect and someone will sign him, as long as he’s mentally ready for that and has his legal troubles settled first.

 

I've only seen any quotes alleging only 2 teams knew about the incident before the draft.  

 

I don't think they spend a ton of time over round 6th and 7th guys.  They will each represent about 5% of all starters on rosters.  In rounds 4-7, picks started in about 7% of games over the 5 years after they were drafted (combined).  As a combined group, they did far worse than UDFA.  

 

As for Araiza, by the time the 6th rolled around, I'm sure the Bills were like, sure, why not?  

[NoSaint]

7 hours ago, Doc Brown said:

Not if he decides to make himself a cancel culture martyr (which may be more financially lucrative in its own right).  If he does want to get a tryout with a team the less press he does right now the better so I question the advice he's getting.  NFL teams hate outside distractions and a punter is not worth it no matter how much potential he has.

there’s a terribly narrow needle to thread, and I think a true press team would use third parties to play up “punter fully cleared of false accusations” to create some subconscious familiarity with the story line without him throwing his face all over interviews. 
 

“didn’t that kicker we signed have that thing?!? What was the accusation? I don’t recall the details but I know I heard it was made up” becomes just the right level of hazy water under the bridge

[PromoTheRobot]

5 hours ago, Dr. Who said:

Since from now on his name will carry a stigma despite exculpatory evidence due to the nature of the original charges and widespread reporting of his dismissal from the Bills, he gave a number of interviews to female interlocutors in an attempt to rehabilitate his character.  Given the state of contemporary journalism where the msm presumes a criteria of #believeallwomen, it's not surprising that he chose an alternative outlet, even if ironically by doing so he incurs the wrath of those who prefer the very media largely responsible for his public reputation.

 

There are still people on Twitter doubling down on him being guilty despite evidence to the contrary.

[Gugny]

8 hours ago, Doc Brown said:

Not if he decides to make himself a cancel culture martyr (which may be more financially lucrative in its own right).  If he does want to get a tryout with a team the less press he does right now the better so I question the advice he's getting.  NFL teams hate outside distractions and a punter is not worth it no matter how much potential he has.

I feel like this is the route he’s going to take (or already has begun to take) and I agree - if playing in the NFL is his goal, this isn’t going to expedite it. 

[muppy]

6 minutes ago, PromoTheRobot said:

 

There are still people on Twitter doubling down on him being guilty despite evidence to the contrary.

Yes there are people with low IQ's allll over the internet and twitter. You literally cannot fix stupid.

[Doc]

14 hours ago, Mr. WEO said:

If this was Josh Allen, the Bills would have let it play out.

 

But Araiza was a draft afterthought who never played a down in an essentially insignificant position who was quickly, easily and satisfactorily replaced.  

 

 

He had no value to the team.  That's not politics.  No other team wants him either--they didn't draft him nor have they invited him after he was cleared.  Who cares?  

 

13 hours ago, Mr. WEO said:

War rooms don’t spend much energy scratching their heads over day 3 picks.  It’s not hard to conceive.  The took a flyer on an internet sensation who was passed over by two other teams who spent much higher (4ths) on better Punters.

 

Araiza was a lark pick.  No other team through 5 rounds said, “what the heck, let’s take The Punt God”. 
 

And no team has brought him in (he’s available).  Will other teams “never sign him”? How do I know.  Maybe tomorrow they will, or Monday..

 

Tell me why they haven’t to this point?

True if it had been Josh Allen or a high draft pick, they would’ve stuck with him. But as you said he’s just a punter and they rarely punted the year before. They also had a fallback option who will now be their punter for the next few years. 
 

As for why he hasn’t been signed, likely because teams want the civil trial out of the way. It’s all “optics” at this point.  He’ll definitely get another shot and I’d put money one it. 
 

And 2 guys being drafted before him means nothing.  I believe there were 2 kickers drafted before Bass, 1 for sure.

 

11 hours ago, Doc Brown said:

Not if he decides to make himself a cancel culture martyr (which may be more financially lucrative in its own right).  If he does want to get a tryout with a team the less press he does right now the better so I question the advice he's getting.  NFL teams hate outside distractions and a punter is not worth it no matter how much potential he has.

I doubt he’s looking to be a cancel culture martyr. He probably just wants a chance to clear his name and get retribution against those who wronged him. 
 

edit:  unless he can’t get/keep a job in the NFL. Then he might turn to it.

Edited May 20, 2023 by Doc

[PromoTheRobot]

30 minutes ago, muppy said:

Yes there are people with low IQ's allll over the internet and twitter. You literally cannot fix stupid.

 

It's more the inability to admit an error. You have Twitter warriors on a crusade suddenly faced with proof their screeds were wrong, they can't say "oops. "  It's easier to just deny the evidence and carry on.

[muppy]

7 minutes ago, PromoTheRobot said:

 

It's more the inability to admit an error. You have Twitter warriors on a crusade suddenly faced with proof their screeds were wrong, they can't say "oops. "  It's easier to just deny the evidence and carry on.

It's BOTH 🙂

[ExiledInIllinois]

The fact of the matter is... Bills did the right thing. Given what we know now about what happened last summer (Kim Pegula) and all the other turmoil, and future turmoil...

 

With Araiza embroiled in a mess, why would Bills take on more turmoil... They'd have to be a glutton for punishment if they did. Bills had too much on plate to give the kid benefit of doubt... Let alone a roster spot, media hype, etc...

 

They made the best only proper business decision. 

 

If there was an exempt list, sure given him the benny of doubt.

 

Simply too much on everyone's plate.  Everyone needed to get their house in order.  Something needed to give considering everything the team was going through (which we didn't know at the time) AND would go through...

 

Unfortunate... But Matt still ain't without fault...

 

 

[Mr. WEO]

2 hours ago, Doc said:

 

True if it had been Josh Allen or a high draft pick, they would’ve stuck with him. But as you said he’s just a punter and they rarely punted the year before. They also had a fallback option who will now be their punter for the next few years. 
 

As for why he hasn’t been signed, likely because teams want the civil trial out of the way. It’s all “optics” at this point.  He’ll definitely get another shot and I’d put money one it. 
 

And 2 guys being drafted before him means nothing.  I believe there were 2 kickers drafted before Bass, 1 for sure.

 

I doubt he’s looking to be a cancel culture martyr. He probably just wants a chance to clear his name and get retribution against those who wronged him. 
 

edit:  unless he can’t get/keep a job in the NFL. Then he might turn to it.

 

 

He's been cleared.  What's the optics problem now?

 

2 guys were taken 2 rounds ahead of him because 2 teams thought they were a better pick at Punter. Those picks paid off: Camarda is an excellent Punter last year--#5 in yards per.  Stout had 46 yards per and put nearly 46% inside the 20---ranked 5th in the league.